Mariners turn unlikely triple play against Astros

SEATTLE -- The Mariners turned a triple play against the Houston Astros more likely to be seen in a little league game than the major leagues.

Seattle recorded the three outs on one play in the fourth inning in Thursday's 9-2 loss to the Astros.

"That was an ugly play and not something we want to see happen," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said.

With runners at first and second and no outs, Evan Gattis hit a check-swing ground ball to third base. Kyle Seager stepped on third and threw to second base to force Carlos Correa.

Gattis finished running to first but turned to jog back to the dugout. Seager noticed what was happening, and Robinson Cano threw to Daniel Vogelbach, who applied the tag.

Gattis said it wasn't because he forgot how many outs there were.

"I was really mad at the pitch I swung at and was really mad about grounding into a double play. I don't really know why I started running to the dugout," Gattis said. "At the time I wanted to laugh on the inside because of how stupid it was, but it was a 0-0 game. ... I think I got so mad I couldn't think straight."

It was the 12th triple play turned by Seattle and first since 2015. The Astros last had a triple play turned against them in 2016 versus the Chicago White Sox. Before 2016, Houston had not hit into a triple play since 1989.